2026 LEADERSHIP NOW MBA POLICY CHALLENGE

Shape The Economy You Want To Be Part Of

The Leadership Now MBA Policy Challenge invites student teams to propose bold government policy or action that would strengthen US competitiveness, improve how government supports economic growth and opportunity, and shape an economy you’re excited to be a part of.

Submissions will be evaluated by business and public policy experts using a quantitative, objective scoring rubric. Submissions will be anonymized to ensure impartiality in the judging process. Winning students will be invited to present their work at the Leadership Now Annual Summit and policy proposals may be highlighted in Leadership Now’s Business Plan for America.

Eligibility

  • Teams must include at least two currently enrolled MBA students.

  • Teams may consist of 3 or 4 members. 

  • All team members must be active graduate students at the time of submission. 

Click Here: Rules, Grading Criteria, Sample Submission

Submit Your Proposal

Submission deadline: March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Submissions will be reviewed by the Leadership Now Project team and an independent panel of judges composed of leaders from the public and private sectors.

  • Strong submissions clearly frame a meaningful economic or policy problem and propose a bold, well-reasoned solution with the potential to serve as a credible platform for real-world leadership. We are looking for ideas that are ambitious and distinctive, grounded in thoughtful policy analysis, and realistic about implementation tradeoffs. A grading rubric and sample submission are provided for reference.

  • Teams must consist exclusively of currently enrolled graduate students and include at least two MBA students.

  • Winning teams will receive a cash prize and be invited to share their proposals at future Leadership Now Project events with candidates and stakeholders engaged in the 2026 and 2028 election cycles. Standout proposals may also be highlighted within the Leadership Now Project community.

  • Prize money will be split equally among team members. Teams must include a minimum of two MBA students and may include up to four graduate students total. Prizes may be awarded as either taxable cash income or scholarship funds, based on each student’s preference and subject to institutional requirements.

  • The Leadership Now Project team and student ambassadors are available at mbachallenge@leadershipnowproject.com to answer questions.

  • Leadership Now Project is a national organization that brings together leaders from business, policy, and civic life to strengthen democratic institutions and promote constructive, solutions-oriented policy engagement. Our community includes students, professionals, and senior business leaders who believe that informed, pragmatic leadership is essential to a healthy economy and society. We also believe in the value of non-traditional solutions to society’s greatest policy challenges.

  • Leadership Now Project believes the next generation of leaders should have a meaningful voice in how policy is discussed and shaped. We are conducting this challenge for the educational benefit of students that are interested in the interplay of business and government. This challenge is designed to elevate thoughtful, pragmatic ideas as the country enters a new election cycle and voters seek big ideas, creativity, and the confidence that our government can deliver real progress on the challenges of our day.